What would you give to play alongside Patrick Mahomes Jr.? For Breece Hall, the answer seems to be everything. Long before he became the New York Jets’ star running back, Hall reportedly had a dream to suit up in red and gold at Kansas City. Now, fans are learning about a connection that recently resurfaced and revealed just how deeply Hall wanted to be the running back near Mahomes.

“For Breece Hall, there was an offer on the table for a fourth-round pick. I was told it was from the Kansas City Chiefs that were willing to trade for Breece Hall. The Jets were steadfast in wanting a three. So they wanted a third-round pick for Breece Hall. They were not able to get one; only had a fourth-round offer,” Connor J. Hughes said. 

The Breece Hall trade saga reached a clear verdict after the trade deadline. The New York Jets stood firm and did not trade him even though Hall expressed a strong desire to leave. The Kansas City Chiefs made a concrete offer for Hall: a fourth-round draft pick. However, the Jets rejected it. The Jets held out for at least a third-round pick.  

Knowing the fact that Hall’s $9,014,774 four-year contract is set to make him a free agent in 2026. And having already traded two-time first-team All-Pro Sauce Gardner, star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and Jermaine Johnson II, the Jets did not take up the offer. 

“I wouldn’t call it a teardown. I understand the question, but like I said, through these processes we talk about a lot of things and we fielded a lot of calls. Breece is a talented player. He is going to help us compete and win games the rest of the season,” GM Darren Mougey stated. 

Hall’s performance in 2025 has been respectable; he logged 117 rush attempts for 581 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and 2 rushing touchdowns. That output, coupled with the Jets’ desire to build around him, spelled no trade.

But for the Jets, losing Hall would have left them vulnerable with no bite. Adding another layer to an already terrible season. But the story that stings Hall by staying at the Jets took off in Wichita, which added more meaning to the offer and him wanting to be out. 

The running back’s Chiefs connection runs deeper 

Breece Hall’s request to be traded and his desire to land with the Kansas City Chiefs took on added meaning once the full story emerged. His stepfather, Jeff Smith, played running back for the Chiefs after being drafted in the 10th round in 1985. 

Smith made his mark at the Nebraska Cornhuskers before carving out an NFL career that included stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Growing up in Wichita, Hall absorbed this legacy and adopted the No. 28 jersey number at Iowa State Cyclones in honor of his stepdad’s former number.  

According to NFL insiders, Jordan Schultz, Hall told team officials during the flurry of the 2025 trade deadline that he “wants to be out.” 

When Hall voiced his desire to join the Chiefs, the alignment seemed natural. A franchise legacy, a personal attachment and family history all converged. In contrast, his tenure with the New York Jets has featured strong flashes but also discussions of dissatisfaction and trade rumors. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ backfield situation gave Hall’s potential exit added weight. Kansas City has been in the market for a running back due to injuries to Isiah Pacheco.

“Sick about my bruddas man. Happy for them but man I’m sick rn,” said Hall in a since-deleted post. 

Had he moved to Kansas City, Hall might’ve stepped into a system looking to shore up its running game and into a place with deep ties to his roots. Given that backdrop, the Chiefs would have appeared a more fitting home for Hall than his current spot in New York.